Wits Business School implements first degree in Africa dedicated to energy leadership
After launching the African Energy Leadership Centre in 2017, the Wits Business School (WBS) welcomed its first cohort of about 30 students embarking on the world’s first post graduate diploma in energy leadership on Tuesday, March 12. The AELC aims to address the skills deficit within the industry as well as issues of energy shortages in Africa.
The centre introduced two new degree, a postgraduate diploma and Master of management in the field of energy leadership.
When asked about why this type of programme is necessary in South Africa, Professor Rod Crompton, head of the AELC at WBS told Wits Vuvuzela, “Africa has bountiful energy resources… but it has over 600 million people without access to modern energy.”
Crompton said most undergraduate degrees are in a particular discipline, therefore energy leaders would also benefit from a multi-disciplinary postgraduate degree to cope with the technological overload impacting the energy sector.
The specialised masters degree comprises of three sections: nine main courses, an elective as well as a research report. According to the WBS website, teaching is provided on a 12 to 18 month block release basis to accommodate the needs of busy working professionals.
The programme is intended to equip the energy sector with an influx of people who have a range of leadership and energy skills. The core courses include the likes of strategic management, ethics and environmental sustainability.
Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, director and head of WBS told Wits Vuvuzela that the energy leadership programme could hardly be more relevant given the power challenges that the country is currently facing. Sibisi added that power, along with related aspects of the energy sector, requires careful leadership at technical, industrial and political level.
Crompton said WBS is leading the way by introducing these new energy degrees.
FEATURED IMAGE: Students working at the Wits Business School gardens. Photo: Gemma Gatticchi
